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    Let Me Sum Up

    Horrific explosion in West, Texas, shows how we feel impact of tragedy through social media

    Eric Celeste
    Apr 18, 2013 | 9:39 am

    It’s astonishing how much there is to sum up this morning, and how awful the lead story is.

    If you live outside of Texas, you may not know how iconic the small town of West is. Everyone has stopped there for kolaches on the way to or from Austin. Everyone is fascinated by a small Texas village largely founded by Czech immigrants. That familiarity only added to the horror as we watched the news reports and read stories overnight about the fertilizer plant that caught fire and exploded.

    I got much of my news from Twitter last night, and its real-time updating showed the power of the medium. That said, if you follow a lot of journalists on social media, you notice there’s always some sort of virtual fist-bumping that goes on whenever a tragedy strikes.

    I don’t really care that news people worked hard delivering the story. It’s their job. The only journalists I want to praise — Channel 8 news reader John McCaa comes to mind — are the folks who were unafraid to say, “Don’t know.” How many are dead? “Don’t know.” How did this happen? “Don’t know.” In the first hours after such a tragedy, sometimes that’s the right answer.

    What else should we have expected from those who brought this news to us? That they used their expertise and sources to tell us the few things that are known and provide context. The excellent environmental reporter Randy Lee Loftis of the Dallas Morning News did that last night, pointing to documents that showed the plant operators had previously told the EPA there was “no risk” of fire or explosions at the plant.

    What should not be done in the immediate aftermath of such an explosion? Even though he may have a point, I found Tod Robberson's weird rant against zoning laws oddly timed. Even he says in the piece that this isn't the time to look for blame, so why post it then?

    What does deserve note this morning? The heart-wrenching personal notes, remembrances and prayers that have been put out through our friends and acquaintances through social media. Example: Many reminded us to donate blood — which is good advice today and for days and weeks to come — as any surplus today will quickly disappear. (Search here for where to give by ZIP code.)

    The tragedy is still fresh and ongoing this morning, and prayers or well wishes are still needed. One friend alerted his followers that his aunt, who was in the nursing home across from the plant, was still unaccounted for. Zac Crain, the D Magazine editor who grew up in West, wrote a heart-wrenching essay on FrontBurner this morning. You should read it right now, then add him and those he speaks of to your prayer list. It’s sure to grow as the day moves along.

    Elsewhere

    There were many stories I thought I would be focusing on this morning, foremost among them the cowardly vote by the U.S. Senate on background checks. Luckily, two people made a better statement about it than I could have: Gabrielle Giffords, in a scathing and powerful New York Times op-ed; and my friend Jim Fields, a former Navy pilot and lifelong gun owner and hunter, on Facebook.

    And, oh yeah, 400 flights were canceled because of computer problems at American Airlines. To sum up: bad year for AA.

    To those who say the Jennifer Staubach Gates campaign for City Council is using her father’s fame to boost her name ID, I have some ’80s slang for you: no doi.

    This battle over noise between Angela Hunt and Katy Trail Ice House has been brewing behind the scenes for years. (Sorry. Couldn't help myself.)

    Retweets

    Another post worth reading this morning.

    Explosion in West, Texas - another stunning story, another test of our resilience share.d-news.co/0yow3vC

    — Keven Ann Willey (@KA_Willey) April 18, 2013

    If you don’t get chills or tear up, kill yourself, because you’re already dead.

    This will make you proud to be an American, an outpouring during the Anthem, last night's hockey game in Boston kscs.com/common/page.ph…

    — Hawkeye KSCS DJ (@HawkeyeOnAir) April 18, 2013

    Angela Hunt is saying she will do whatever she can to quiet the Katy Trail Ice House.

      
    Katy Trail Ice House Facebook
    Angela Hunt is saying she will do whatever she can to quiet the Katy Trail Ice House.
    unspecified
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    Heat Wave News

    Dallas pet owners should take these steps with oncoming heat wave

    Teresa Gubbins
    May 13, 2025 | 10:31 am
    Dog drinking water
    SPCA
    Keep your pets hydrated. Consider putting out a kiddie pool.

    Dallas weather is about to take a serious turn, and the SPCA has valuable advice on what steps pet owners should take. It's easy to forget that animals get hit hard by the heat, and especially in Texas: A report by Veterinarians.org found that Texas was No. 1 on the list of states with heat-related pet deaths. Based on data they compiled from 2018-2022, Texa had 40 reported heat-related pet deaths — more than six times the national five-year average.

    In a statement, SPCA of Texas Interim Chief Veterinarian Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB, DACAW reminds pet owners that their pets have very few ways to cool themselves down.

    “As a veterinarian, I’ve seen far too many cases of dogs and cats suffering from heatstroke, often brought into the emergency room when it’s already too late," Tynes says. "Our pets have very limited ways to cool themselves down. They can sweat a small amount through their paw pads, but their main way to release excess heat is by panting. Panting helps pets cool off through the evaporation of moisture, but it only provides limited relief, especially during extreme temperatures."

    Tynes says that, when the body can’t shed heat fast enough, serious internal damage begins to occur.

    "The proteins and chemicals that keep the body functioning start to break down," she says. "I’ve seen heat affect the kidneys and brain—organs and processes that are incredibly sensitive to high temperatures."

    Breed, overall health and environment all can influence how at-risk a pet is, but one thing is always true: prevention is critical. Please don’t underestimate how dangerous heat can be.

    Tynes advises pet owners to keep pets in cool, shaded areas, provide plenty of fresh water, and avoid walks or outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.

    Here are some proactive measures to keep pets safe and comfortable during these sweltering days:

    Keep your pets hydrated
    Make sure your furry friends have access to fresh, cool water at all times. Consider placing multiple water bowls around your home and refill them regularly. If your pets must be outside during the day, make sure there are plenty of shady spaces throughout the day and several shaded, nontippable water bowls filled with ice water. Do not use metal bowls outside.

    If possible, a small wading pool filled with cold ice water and placed in a shaded area outside is preferred. This not only allows pets to drink but also to cool off in the water when overheating.

    Schedule exercise with your pets wisely on warm days
    Give your pet plenty of water before and after walks or playtime. Be sure to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Early mornings (before 10 a.m.) or late evenings (after 5 p.m.)—when temperatures are lower—are ideal for walks or playtime.

    Hot pavement can burn paw pads, so opt for walking on grassy areas. Consider using paw wax or booties to shield sensitive paws from hot pavement, rocks or sand that can cause burns and blisters. If you cannot hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five to 10 seconds, the pavement is too hot for your pet.

    Make sure your pets have plenty of shade
    If your pet spends any time outside, be sure it has plenty of shade so he or she can get out of the sun. This is where the ground or grass will be coolest—under a tree, an umbrella, or a simple, open structure. Do not tie or restrain the pet so that it cannot move between shady spots as needed.

    If it is really hot and humid, bring your pet indoors and into air-conditioned areas.

    Never leave your pet in a locked car
    No matter what, even if you think you will be away from the car for just a few minutes, do not leave your pet unattended in a parked car. The car can absorb enough energy within minutes to become a death mobile. A cracked window or two is not enough to prevent heatstroke when it’s hot, or even warm. It is also not enough to park in the shade on a hot day and leave all the windows and even sunroof open.

    While weather in the 70s may seem harmless, a Stanford study showed that in just an hour, a car’s temperature rose to 116 degrees internally when left out in 72-degree heat. It is not recommended to leave the air conditioner running in a car for your pet. Oftentimes the air conditioner malfunctions, leading to overheating inside the vehicle.

    Heatstroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect pets when they are exposed to high temperatures and excessive heat. Dogs and cats cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. It can occur in as little as 10-15 minutes, especially in hot and humid environments or when an animal is left in a parked car.

    Symptoms of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, rapid breathing, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. It is crucial to act quickly if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. Move them to a cool and shaded area, offer fresh water, and use cool (not cold) water or damp towels to gradually lower their body temperature.

    Then take the pet directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Heat stroke can be fatal and can come on very quickly, so it’s best not to take any chances.

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    news/city-life
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